Track: En Attendant Ana – In/Out
French popsters En Attendant Ana have released an absolutely loveable low-fi romp of a single ‘In/Out’: an effervescent joy infused with a sense of wonder and innocence yet imbued with a degree of melancholia. The video – a rough hewn Super-8 delight filmed in Belgian, delightfully captures the carefree sense of the song: Of the …
EP: Margot – Margotzeko
The debut EP from South London’s Margot is a breathtaking, mesmerising and epic release. There is a sound of The Smiths and Gene updated for the new era – modern themes with a precious genetic code of guitar-driven indie pop. The first track, the single ‘Man Love’, sets the tone: jangling, crisp, reverb-soaked guitars that …
News: China Crisis Announce First Ever Tour to Australia/New Zealand
Legendary Liverpudlians, China Crisis, have just revealed news of their first ever tour down under with gigs in Australia and New Zealand scheduled for August. While part of the new wave, new romantic explosion in the eighties, China Crisis were unique due to their concentration on music and lyrics as opposed to image, producing a …
Track: Tan Cologne – Alien
Tan Cologne hugely impressed with their dream pop release ‘Cave Vaults on the Moon in New Mexico’ – a song that seemed to capture all the mystery and magic of their home in New Mexico. They have released a new single – ‘Alien’ – which perfectly captures the mysterious allure of this band with its …
Track: Even As We Speak – Blue Suburban Skies plus Tour News
Even As We Speak are a Sydney band that formed in the mid-eighties and, after gaining a following in the Australian indie scene, eventually gained the attention of the legendary John Peel on BBC Radio 1 and airplay for their single ‘Goes So Slow’. This resulted in their signing by the iconic UK Sarah Records …
Video: Underground Lovers – Feels Like Yesterday
The inimitable Underground Lovers have released an absolutely delightful video for the gorgeous track ‘Feels Like Yesterday’ opening their last album ‘A Left Turn’ (my joint favourite album of 2019). Made up of vignettes from various black and white movies (European in origin, I surmise) and edited by Cristina Álvarez López & Adrian Martin , …
Track: Jekyll – I Do What I Can
It was back in 2014 and one of the first reviews I ever did for Backseat Mafia was of this incredibly impressive Blackpool band, Jekyll. I was so impressed, I followed up with an interview and continued to follow them as they grew exponentially. At the time, I presciently questioned why this band wasn’t bigger. …
Track: Haters – Feel Better
There’s nothing like a bit of noisy, shouty guitar-driven rock’n’roll, and Queenland’s Haters have released a blaster in their debut ‘Feel Better’. In the world where bands like Idles, Fontaines DC and The Murder Capital are making a massive impact and heralding a return to punk poetry, Haters are boldly entering the fray: powerful riffs, …
Track: Nada Surf – So Much Love
Nada Surf are a bit of an indie institution and are on the brink of releasing their ninth album, ‘Never Not Together’ on 7 February 2020. ‘So Much Love’ is the third single released in anticipation of the album and it encapsulates the Nada Surf sound and philosophy: bright sparkling joyous music that is infused …